Archives
The Archives are open to visitors & researchers in person by appointment in advance during staffed hours, normally on Tuesdays and Fridays 9.30-4. Drop-in hours: Tuesdays 10-1.
The usual Archives entrance is on the ground floor on the east side of the building (nearest Fairway Market). This entrance is step-free. You can also request Archives access via the front desk upstairs in Municipal Hall - ask the staff member at reception to phone the Archives office, and the Archivist will meet you in the foyer. Please note that indoor access from main reception involves a full flight of stairs.
EnquiriesContinue reading
-
Discovering Oak Bay history on foot and by bike
Share Discovering Oak Bay history on foot and by bike on Facebook Share Discovering Oak Bay history on foot and by bike on Twitter Share Discovering Oak Bay history on foot and by bike on Linkedin Email Discovering Oak Bay history on foot and by bike link[image: Oak Bay Archives, photo 1994-001-027. Public Works Crew Paving 1100 Block of Roslyn Road, formerly Pleasant Avenue, looking north from Windsor Road (Saratoga). Superintendent Samuel Gunter on right. Photographer: E.A. Price, ca. 1911.]
The archivist and volunteers at Oak Bay Archives are currently collaborating with Sara Lax at the GVCC to create a self-guided local history ride for their 2020 summer series.
While researching the stops on our history tour, we've encountered lots of great resources for exploring Oak Bay and other Greater Victoria municipalities and neighbourhoods, especially by foot or bike.
Many of these walks include snippets of local history to ponder as you pause to take in the view. As you explore Oak Bay, have a look at the archival photographs online - you might find images showing the places where you walk now, as they were a century or more ago!
Oak Bay routes
Guide to the First Nations Monuments of Oak Bay via Salish Weaving
Discovery Rides and Scavenger Hunts from the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition
Oak Bay Walking Trails Map from the District of Oak Bay, and more at
Maps of Uplands Park from the Friends of Uplands Park - especially Simon Wigzell's map of walking trails within the park
A few of the many walks available in neighbouring municipalities:
User-friendly trails from the CRD
Esquimalt Township Walking Tours by Sherri Robinson, from the Township of Esquimalt
Neighbourhood walking tours from the Victoria Heritage Foundation
South Jubilee Neighbourhood History Walk from the South Jubilee Neighbourhood Association
Trail Guides & Maps from the District of Saanich
Vic West Walking Trails from the Vic West Community Association
Walk the West Shore from the municipalities of Colwood, Metchosin, Highlands, Langford, and View Royal; the CRD; and West Shore Parks & Recreation Society
Imperial Paradise? An Alternative Walking Tour of Victoria, BC from the History of Racialisation Group at UVic (2000)
Do you have a favourite walking or cycling route in Oak Bay? Where will you explore next?
Follow @OakBayArchives on Twitter!
Questions? routes to add to the list? Email the Archivist
